What the Lord Requires

July 19, 2015 Background Scripture: Micah 6 Lesson Passage: Micah 6:3 – 8 Micah had delivered God’s message that condemned the leaders of Israel and Judah along with the wealthy for their evil deeds. God had denounced greed, corruption, and lying prophets. Impending destruction was prophesied for both nations. One might ask: Why was God so angry with His people? God’s complaint was that He had been faithful to His people. He had delivered them from their enemies and provided leaders for them that feared Him and led them to worship Him. On the other hand, the people desired religious rituals that they could use to appease God. The people questioned what amount of material goods they needed to offer God to satisfy Him. They were even willing to bow down before Him if it were necessary. They recognized that God was not satisfied with them because of the message of prophets such as Micah. They accepted that they had indeed transgressed the laws of God. Knowing that they could not undo their actions, they wanted to know what it would take to make their relationship with God okay again. They were willing to make enormous sacrifices even to the point of offering the firstborn child to God. However, none of those things were going to satisfy God’s desire for righteous living on the part of His people. God requested three things of His people: justice, mercy, and humility. These are character traits that should define people who are made in the image and likeness of God. Justice demands fairness in all dealings with people. The rich should not be judged differently than the poor. God’s people did not have to define justice or figure it out for themselves. God had given them the Law and justice is established by the law of God. God had given them the standard of justice to judge both people and matters. Adherence to God’s law insures justice. On the other hand, this type of justice, if unrestrained, would condemn everybody. To prevent this wholesale condemnation, it is necessary that mercy be applied. The application of mercy should be the desire of God’s people. God’s people should love mercy. When we recall all of the times God delivered us, we should enjoy and celebrate seeing God deliver others. There is none righteous—no, not one. All of God’s children are the recipients of God’s divine mercy. It was part of the deliverance package. As we have received mercy, we should be quick to extend mercy to others. Finally, God requires His people to walk in humility. God despises a proud look. None of us have anything we can boast on that did not come from God. Humility is a reminder that God is the only one who is perfect in holiness. Humility also reminds us that God has delivered us from bondage to sin and is upholding us by His own power. Since we could not deliver ourselves and we cannot keep ourselves from evil, then what do we have to boast about other than the goodness of God? We have no room for pride or self-righteousness. But as we walk “with” God, He keeps us in the path of righteousness and because of His presence, we should be humble. This is what the Lord requires. Robert C. Hudson July 8, 2015